Mother and daughter face trial for extortionate kidnapping of lawyer in Quito

A mother and her daughter are facing charges in Quito, Ecuador, for their alleged roles in the extortionate kidnapping of a lawyer. The victim was reportedly lured into a meeting under false pretenses, then abducted and held captive, enduring physical abuse before a police operation secured his release.

The judicial process began after the victim was contacted by an individual seeking legal services for a child support case. Upon arriving for the arranged meeting in central Quito, the lawyer was intercepted by a group and forced into a vehicle. He was then taken to a property in the San Roque sector, where he was allegedly bound and assaulted. His captors subsequently contacted his sister, demanding a $7,000 ransom for his freedom.

Following the victim's sister reporting the incident, the Anti-Kidnapping and Extortion Unit (Unase) of the National Police initiated an investigation. Using technological tools, officers located the victim's mobile phone, leading to a rescue operation on the night of July 4, 2026. The lawyer was freed, showing signs of physical injury sustained during his captivity.

During a court hearing, prosecutors presented evidence including a psychological evaluation of the victim, a medical-legal report, and witness testimonies. The judge ordered pre-trial detention for the mother, Mónica Esthela C. P. Due to the daughter being a minor, her case was transferred to the Juvenile Justice Unit, which imposed a travel ban and weekly reporting requirements.